Jose Mourinho has risked a Uefa sanction following his criticism of referee Damir Skomina - which included another thinly veiled dig at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger – after Chelseas goalless draw with Dynamo Kiev.
The Premier League champions struck the woodwork twice against the Ukrainian title-holders on 20 October and also had a strong appeal for a penalty turned away when Cesc Fabregas was felled by Serhiy Rybalka.
Mourinho, who also complained his side should have been awarded a late penalty in their 2-1 defeat in an earlier Champions League tie, told BT Sport after the match referee Skomina was weak and naïve – the same terminology used by Wenger to admonish Premier League referee Mike Dean in Arsenals loss to Chelsea in September, for which he escaped punishment.
The referee was weak and naïve. Big penalty, Mourinho said, hiding a wry smile. The referee and the goal referee [fifth official] decide not to give it. Against Porto it was a clear handball, last minute, a decision crucial for the result of the game. Today it was not last minute but it was clear penalty. I dont know. The referee didnt see it? The referee decided not to give it?
Mourinho added the referee had a good game until the handball incident – comparing his performance to that of Craig Joubert, the man at the centre of Scotlands last minute Rugby World Cup loss to Australia whose decision has since been described as a mistake by rugby unions governing body.
I think the referee was very good. I am serious, Mourinho continued. I think he made one mistake and, for example in the Rugby World Cup, I think the referee in the Scotland game was very good but he made one mistake and because of that mistake Scotland is crying.
Mourinho could face a fine and a possible ban if Uefa decide to take action against the Blues boss. Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was sanctioned by European footballs governing body for his criticism of referee Jonas Erikssson in February 2014. He was given a three-match suspension for his attack following a defeat to Barcelona, which violated the general principles of conduct of Uefas Disciplinary Regulations. Arsene Wenger was given an identical punishment in 2012 for his comments aimed at the same referee at the centre of last nights controversy, Skomina.
Mourinho is currently appealing a £50,000 fine and a suspended one-match stadium ban for his comments directed at referee Robert Madeley in the wake of Chelseas 3-1 defeat to Southampton on 3 October.
